Going to work, college or university can mean moving out of the childhood home. No wonder teenagers can find it an anxious time.

But some Ayrshire pupils have come up with a plan to help each other as they prepare to leave school. They are also trying to reach out to pupils in any year who might be struggling with mental health issues.

Senior students at Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr have created fundraising calendars that run from the start of the academic year in August.

English teacher Jenny Inglis said the transition for kids from school to university can be tough (Image: Daily Record)

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There are separate boys’ and girls’ calendars. Each month features a picture of a pupil with an inspirational message, along with contact details for support with mental health problems.

Money raised from the £10 calendars will go towards funding extra training for staff and students to promote wellbeing.

English teacher Jenny Inglis said: “When students are leaving school and making that transition to university, it can be quite a difficult time.

“Moving on to the next stage into adulthood and being on their own and looking after themselves can be hard. This is helping them prepare.

“It’s normal to have difficulties with mental health – it’s how you deal with them and respond to them that’s important.

“It’s about encouraging them to look after their mental health before they experience problems.

“Simple things can make a difference, such as looking out for friends and encouraging them to talk.”

The seniors had been helping younger students and encouraging them to speak to each other and talk about their emotions. Then, they decided they wanted to do more to help others.

Jenny added: “The seniors wanted to do something that would make a difference to everyday life, rather than something easily forgotten, so they came up with the idea for the calendars.

“It’s been a positive experience for all those involved.

“It’s encouraging to see young people wanting to help others. The school is very proud of the initiative our students have taken over this important issue to support their peers.

“South Ayrshire Council have invested in training a teacher from every school as a mental health champion and we wanted to take that further forward.

“The calendars can help students and raising money from selling them will pay for more staff to be trained to support young people with emotional difficulties and train pupils to have more of an effective role in supporting their peers in school.”

The students got involved in planning how they would appear in the photos.

Photographer Brian Muir, of Air Image Photography, offered to take pictures for free. Pupil Alexandra Galloway also took a number of shots.

Sara Bulanda, a sixth year pupil at Queen Margaret Academy, has helped to raise fund for extra help at school (Image: Daily Record)

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Others in the community got behind the campaign, lending and donating dresses for the photos and helping with hair and makeup for the pictures.

Jenny said: “Everyone wanted to help to get the message out there.”

Images in the girls’ calendar show them demonstrating a range of skills, including music, boxing and science.

The boys’ calendar features black and white photos showing groups of friends in various locations, from a car and music room to a gym.

Jenny added: “The girls wanted to say you don’t have to be restricted to stereotypes and you should believe in yourself. It’s all about taking on challenges and not living in fear.”

Deputy head boy Zak Smith, 18, from Ayr, said: “I thought mental health was a big issue in schools and I felt it needed more awareness. I mentioned that setting up a group would be a good idea. Then we came up with the idea for calendars, where we can also raise money to train more people to help with mental health.”

Zak appears in a car in September’s photo and in a group shot of friends in a garage for August.

He added: “The mechanics one for August is all about friendship and standing together and being able to talk to someone. The car photo is about the support network you have with friends.”

Daniel Welsh, 17, from Troon, appears in November’s picture with a guitar because he’s a keen music fan.

He said: “Having the calendars out and in classrooms will maybe raise awareness and people who maybe have issues might feel more confident about talking about them.”

Sara Bulanda, 17, from Ayr, wears a sparkly dress as she sits on a motorbike for the August photo.

Daniel Welsh from Queen Margaret Academy with one of the images from the calendar (Image: Daily Record)

“I wanted to show we can look adventurous and do traditional guys’ stuff as well as looking glamorous,” she said.

“I don’t ride motorbikes but I thought it was very empowering and showed you can embrace different sides of yourself.

“Mental health problems are common and it’s important to get more people to try to understand and get more people trained to help. Maybe people aren’t coming forward for help – but they might if there was more support available.”

Oliwia Capala wears an elegant long dress in some of the pictures, even though she’s boxing and playing rugby.

In another shot, she’s dressed in a dinner jacket playing computer games.

The 17-year-old from Ayr, said: “We started with a story board for each image and decided to include some of the things we’re passionate about, whether that’s sport or science.”

Oliwia appears in a boxing shot for August. She added: “The picture is about being strong as women. Taking part was very uplifting. We’d like to get the calendars out to a wider audience in businesses and hospitals.”

Carey Saunders, 18, from Troon wears a ballet style dress with trainers for the September image.

She said: “I thought why not incorporate my feminine side and sporty side by wearing a beautiful dress and mixing it with trainers? It shows girls can go out but they can also play sport.

“I hope if kids see the calendar on the wall at school, it might encourage them to talk more about the way they feel.

“There are a lot of contact numbers and emails on the calendar if anyone is struggling. Hopefully, it will also encourage them to speak to a teacher, family member or friend.”